September 30, 2011

from the New Mexico Green Chamber of CommerceLAS CRUCES, N.M. (September 30, 2011) - Clean energy business leaders from across the state today unveiled a series of principles for industry growth at the first-ever statewide renewable energy and clean technology conference, hosted by the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.

"New Mexico's clean economy already makes up 5.9% of the state's private sector employment and supports over 35,800 jobs," said Allan Oliver, CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce. "This sector has been growing steadily and supporting New Mexico families, but the future of our economy will depend on whether we can protect the policies and incentives that encourage a transition to cleaner sources of energy and advance clean technologies."

Today's Renewable Energy and Clean Technology: Expanding Opportunities in New Mexico conference, held at the Rio Grande Theater in Las Cruces, drew 150 participants from industry, government, higher education, and research laboratories, as well as federal, state, and local policy-makers.

In anticipation of the conference, the New Mexico Green Chamber interviewed and met with dozens of renewable energy, clean technology, biofuels companies and industry associations in New Mexico and developed a common-sense platform to advance opportunities in the clean economy.

Their multiple recommendations to state and federal policy-makers included:

* Protect and expand the New Mexico Renewable Portfolio Standard, and ensure that it is predictable and supports New Mexico small businesses and job creation.

*Keep incentives for New Mexico's solar, wind biofuels, geothermal, biomass and clean tech to attract new companies and grow local businesses.

* Support responsible development of renewable energy on public lands.

* Protect and extend the state and federal programs that support New Mexico biofuels companies like the federal Renewable Fuels Standard 2, USDA loan guarantees and the "1603" program, and the state B5 biodiesel program.

"New Mexico leads the nation in renewable energy potential, but trails behind other states when it come clean energy development," said Rusty Schmit, CEO CleanSwitch Solar. "We need to tap into this tremendous opportunity to develop clean energy resources and new transmission, done right from the start, in our state. "

September 29, 2011

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding hearings this week on new nationwide environmental standards for the process known as fracking. The EPA is proposing changes to fracking emissions standards, requiring wells to be fitted with a special piece of equipment to separate oil and gas from fracking byproducts. Those byproducts have been linked to air and water pollution in New Mexico, with some people claiming their health has been harmed.

Retired EPA scientist Weston Wilson has testified, saying the new standards are similar to those currently on the books in some states that are not being enforced on a consistent basis.

It would require this produced water that comes back after a fracking job to be collected, in a process called a 'green completion.' Right now, the industry does not do this."

Industry representatives counter that the equipment is expensive, health problems have not been proven, and new technologies are already being implemented to erase the need for treating the wastewater.

David Ellenberger, Colorado-based regional outreach coordinator with the National Wildlife Federation, says the EPA is taking a big step in the right direction.

"This is a win-win for both the environment and the economy. The fact of the matter is that these rules are long overdue."

The equipment would not only capture contaminants, but also recover oil and gas that slips through the current processing.

September 23, 2011

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Two Western members of Congress say more information is needed as Congress makes decisions about the federal budget, and about opening up more land in New Mexico and other states to mining and drilling, under the argument that it's a good move for jobs and the economy.

Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva and Colorado Senator Tom Udall - both Democrats - have requested that the General Accounting Office provide numbers for mining on federal lands, most of which are in the West. Rep. Grijalva says we already know that hard-rock mining, including uranium, pays no federal royalties.

"How much has the taxpayer lost? How much is this land really worth? And what should be the parameters in the future in order to collect a fair return for the American taxpayer?"

Mary Lee Ortega, president of the group Organizers in the Land of Enchantment (OLE), says that, at a time when federal budget decisions are hurting those already down, it makes sense to take a look at sharing the rich resources on public lands.

"We own these lands as a society, as citizens, as the taxpayer. And we have the right to know exactly what we're getting for our dollar, or what is the return on our dollar?"

Copper, oil, gas, coal, phosphate and gold are examples of minerals extracted from federal lands throughout the West that will be included in the report.

September 22, 2011

From New Mexico Voices for ChildrenALBUQUERQUE—The poverty rate for New Mexico climbed by two percentage points between 2009 and 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which released new data from its American Community Survey today. During this same time frame, the employment rate decreased by two percentage points.

The poverty rate for New Mexico went from 18 percent to just over 20 percent, while employment—specifically the rate of persons over the age of 16 who have a job—fell from 56 to 54 percent.

Median household income fell almost $1,000 during that time period—even when adjusted for inflation. The rate of New Mexicans without health insurance—at about 20 percent—showed no significant change, but there were other trends in health insurance coverage. A higher percentage of New Mexicans are getting their health insurance from the public sector while a smaller percentage is getting it from the private sector.

“What these health insurance numbers are telling us is that New Mexicans who receive health insurance through their private-sector employers are losing that coverage when those jobs disappear or their employers drop coverage to save money,” said Gerry Bradley, Research Director for NM Voices for Children. “On the other hand, those who now qualify for Medicare or Medicaid—either because they turned 65 or fell into deep poverty—are able to receive health insurance benefits regardless of how the economy is faring.”

According to Bradley, the worsening economic trends are due to the ongoing recession.

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Whether it's a tourist spending a night near one of the state's many national monuments or spending money at local businesses, the value of these special places, established by the federal Antiquities Act, adds up to $54 million a year for rural communities in New Mexico.

Alan Oliver, CEO of the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, says that also translates into desperately needed jobs in rural New Mexico.

"Especially these days, the bottom line is jobs and that's 1,100 jobs locally in communities, especially rural communities, all around the state."

Oliver says some in Congress are concerned about the expense of adding additional national monuments. He he says that is short-sighted.

"These are important places, part of our national heritage, that need to be preserved from generation to generation. We would be losing parts of our national history."

He says New Mexico's 10 national monuments established through the Antiquities Act account for nearly 1.3 million annual tourist visits and $54 million in spending by visitors, helping support 1,100 jobs.

September 21, 2011

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Youngsters today in New Mexico and around the nation are not getting enough sleep, according to a new report that looks at the amount of time children spend indoors on electronic devices - and how this over-stimulation affects their sleep.

A generation ago, says report author Kevin Coyle, vice president for education and training at the National Wildlife Federation, children spent hours outdoors playing and interacting with others. Today, the average New Mexico child or teenager spends 7 to 8 hours per day on a computer or cell phone, playing video games or watching television.

"This has a number of implications for the kids; their health, their overall fitness levels. There are a number of reasons why we think that this new 'indoor child' phenomenon in American society has really affected the ability of children to get a good night's sleep."

Youngsters ages 8 through 18, on average, are losing from 10 to 14 hours of sleep per week because they are over-stimulated by electronic use, Coyle says. Some ways parents can help children obtain more balance is to make sure they're getting exercise outdoors, he says, because the natural light helps promote sleep.

Emily McKhann is co-founder of http://TheMotherhood.com, an online community for moms. With two young daughters, she acknowledges it is not always easy for parents to make time to get their children outdoors, but says it's important to find a way to work it in.

"One of the things we're trying to do is actually give them some time to run around outside before they head off to school, just to start the day with some fresh air."

The report suggests trying to get kids unplugged from computers, cell phones and TVs at least an hour before bedtime.

For more tips to get children to spend more time outside and reduce their "screen time," a new online guide is available for parents and caregivers, at http://beoutthere.org.

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico Hispanics - no matter their political party, gender or age group - overwhelmingly support conservation of the state's land and water, according to a new survey.

The poll, by the Latino Sustainability Institute and Project New America Latino, finds that more than 90 percent of Hispanic voters are worried about water scarcity and forest fires, and nearly the same number are concerned about pollution of drinking water, lakes and rivers.

Arturo Sandoval, executive director of the Latino Sustainability Institute, says 73 percent favor funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

"I think there's not a town in the state that hasn't benefited from either having a park or a tennis courts or some kind of outdoor recreation facility in their towns. That's the beauty of the Land and Water Conservation Fund."

Other findings in the poll: A large majority supports additional public lands designated as national monuments, and most support ending billions spent every year in federal tax breaks to oil companies.

New Mexico, Sandoval says, is a bellwether state for the nation when it comes to Hispanic voter attitudes.

"Candidates in national elections and local elections coming up next year really need to pay attention to the need or to the value that Latinos have to support conservation issues."

September 17, 2011

“It's a no-brainer: Congress should pass the bill. Now.”That’s how California Gov. Jerry Brown characterized the decision facing Congress on whether to pass President Obama’s $447 billion American Jobs Act. The Bill's language was released in full at http://AmericanJobsAct.com . New Mexico Governor Martinez so far has not supported the American Jobs Act even though it would mean 40,000 New Mexico firms would receive a payroll tax cut under the Act.

Gov. Brown was among dozens of other state officials around the nation who have come out in strong support of the bill. As reports around the nation this week indicated, state economies stand to benefit significantly from the boost that would be provided by direct funding in the bill allowing them to put construction workers back to work rebuilding crumbling schools and infrastructure, and to make sure teachers, firefighters, and cops in their communities stay on the job. Without passage of the ACA states won't be the only ones struggling as millions of Americans find themselves slipping further away from the middle class toward an uncertain future. Failure to take action has many Americans wondering if a partisan Congressional agenda favors American decline over repairing America's broken economy.

In addition to $253 billion in tax cuts and credits, the text of the legislation sent to Congress this week also provides critical aid to states still struggling with revenue shortfalls to directly create jobs. The American Jobs Act proposes to provide $200,100,000 in funds to New Mexico to support up to 3,100 educator, law enforcement and first responder jobs. Language in the bill specifies that states would be prohibited from using the funds to either support rainy day funds or to reduce debt obligations, and requires that states receiving grants for hiring teachers provide reports on how many jobs were saved or created by the measure. This move is appaarently quite popular with voters — in a CNN poll released this week, 70 percent of Independent voters voiced support for direct state aid to boost the economy and create jobs.

September 12, 2011

from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - If rural New Mexico is going to thrive, improvements in transportation have to be part of the picture. Those improvements can include better roads, but a bigger issue is how to help people find a ride when their driving abilities are limited by disabilities, age or lack of cash.

Billy Altom, executive director of the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) says a lack of transportation can kick off a series of problems.

"It's almost a snowball effect, sometimes. Whenever you look at, 'Okay, if I lose my ride, then the next day I've lost my job, I've lost my house,' then you wind up in dire straits."

Altom explains that a lack of transportation also makes it hard to tend to health needs and interact with family and friends. Solutions include mass transportation and coordination of services on a smaller scale, such as vans.

Altom says some transportation options are available in rural areas, but they're often limited or only operate to the county line. He points out that collaboration can address such limitations.

"We need to have those folks say, 'Well, I can only go to this county line, will you meet me at this county line?' They're working on getting transportation services that will coordinate with each other."

He adds that transportation providers and residents also need to have a voice in the next federal transportation bill, which he hopes will cover a six-year period.

"If you just do a two-year bill and you're trying to coordinate programs, by the time regulations and stuff come out of the feds, we're two years in and we haven't done anything. If we can spread it out into six years, I think we'll be much better off."

Only 6 percent of federal transit funding goes to support rural areas, Altom points out, yet 25 percent of Americans live in the countryside.

September 06, 2011

From New Mexico Voices for ChildrenALBUQUERQUE—The Invest in US exhibit, a project of the First Five Years Fund, will arrive in Santa Fe on September 7, 2011, to kick off Early Childhood Day at the State Capitol. The exhibit features a multi-media interactive display providing a traveling educational experience, introducing visitors to the scientific and economic research that makes the case for early learning.

The exhibit features five interactive stations that allow users to: Learn from Dr. Jack Shonkoff's research on early brain development Hear Dr. James Heckman explain early learning's return on investment Visit a classroom to see the impact of well-trained teachers and caregivers Explore the benefits of several models highlighted as evidence-based programs Take a quiz to understand key federal funding streams

The Invest in US exhibit is hosted in New Mexico by 22 local organizations that advocate for a high-quality, fully funded early childhood care and education system in the state.